Adjustable easy-chair or lounge.



No. 639,076. Patented Dec. I2, i899. J. H. S. MAY. ADJUSTABLE EASY CHAIR0R LOUNGE.

(Application filed Mar. 8, 1899.)

2 Sheets-Sheet I.

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No. 639,076. Patented Dec..|2, 1899.

J. H. S. MAY. ADJUSTABLE EASY CHAIR 0B LOUNGE.

(Application filed Mar. 8, 1899.) (No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

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applied for Letters Patent of Great Brit-ain ihnrrnn STATES .IOSIAIII'IARPUR SYDNEY MAY, OF BELFAST, IRELAND.

ADJUSTABLE EASY-CHAIR OR LOUNGE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 639,076, dated December12, 1899.

Application filed March 8, 1899. Serial No. 708,268. (No modell To allwil/071i, zit'mcty concern:

Be it known that I, JosIAH HARPUR SYD- NEY MAY, manufacturer, a subjectof the Queen of Great Britain and Ireland, residing at 2 StranmillisPark, in the city of Belfast, in the county of Antrim, Ireland, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Easy-Chairs or Lounges,(for which I have and Ireland, dated September 16, 1898, and numbered19,6523) and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, andexact description of my invention, such as will enable others skilled inthe art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference beinghad to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference markedthereon, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to chairs and lounges for sitting or recliningupon; and it consists, substantially, in such features of construction,arrangement, and combinations of parts as will hereinafter be moreparticularly described.

The primary object of my invention is to provide means for theI supportof the human bodyr evenly from head to heels when sitting or recliningby the adjustment of the chair or lounge to various positions of thehead, trunk, thighs, and legs independently, and to consequent changesof the posture of those parts of the body at the will of the personusing the article, whereby comfort and rest are promoted.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure I is a vertical longitudinalsection of a chair made in accordance with my invention. Fig. II is afront view, partly in section, the upholstering being removed, bothleg-rests and one thigh-rest being entirely omitted and part of theother thigh-rest being also omitted. Fig. III is a front view, on anenlarged scale, of one thigh and one leg rest detached. Figs. IV,V,YI,VII,VIII, and IX are views of detached details on an enlargedscale.

The frame of the chair is indicated by the letters A A, representing thesides, and a ot uprights between the front and back thereof, connectedbythe cross-rails C, C, C2, C3, and C4, the rail marked C secured ateither end to an upright a and forming a bottom for the shallow fixedseat. The sides of the back B are connected at base and top by thecrossbars B2 and B3, and the cross bar or slab B2 is connected ateachend to the adjacent upright. a by a link B, screwed or bolted at onebe strengthened by side stays B4, and, if de` sired, an additionalcross-bar B5 may be employed for tacking the cover to. By placing thepivot in the position indicated I center the back-rest, so that thehead-rest, hereinafter described, will always be in the same relativeposition to the head of the person occupying the chair, whatever may bethe inclination of the backrest.

Underneath the back edge of the bar or slab B2, I hinge a rack It, theother end of which passes through a slot in the vertical bar O, iXed tothe cross-rail C and C. A bolt or pin b across the slot in this verticalbar O engages a notch in the rack R and holds the back-rest firmly inany required position. When a change of posture is desired, the rack Rmay be unlocked by the aid of a cord or chain c, attached to the freeend thereof, and a spring S on each side of the chair attached at oneend to a pin between the plates fm above and behind the pivot in suchplate on which the link B' centers and at the-other end to a pin at theopposite eX- tremity of the link B'. Thus the person occupying the chairby pulling the cord or chain attached to the rack R maydisengage therack, and While so disengaged with 'the aid of or controlling thesprings S alter the inclination of the back-rest at pleasure, and byagain dropping the rack upon a bolt or pin bsecure it when the desiredposition has been arrived at.

The headrest surrnounting the back-rest consists of a frame II, IAI, II,and H2, of which the sides H II may be in an elliptical form.

For adjusting the inclination of the headrest I attach it to the sidesof the back-rest B by two internal metal strips 7i h, fastened withinvthe sides H H and pivoted at their lower ends to the sides of theback-rest B at i i' a little below the cross-bar B3, so that the Wholehead-rest may move ona center out- IOO side it and give even support tothe back of the head in all positions.

In order to keep the metal strips h h clear of the stuffing of thebackrest, I inc-lose the lower portion ot" each such strip 7L with atriangular casing` K, fastened within the side of the back-rest B. Ifit. be desired to keep the head-rest of the full width of suchback-rest, I introduce blocks of wood between the metal strips 7i 7L andthe sides I-l H', as shown.

The arrangement for adjusting and locking the inclinations of the otherparts of the chair by dropping a rack upon a bolt or pin is unsuitableto the head-rest. The special means which I employ in the latter caseare more fully illustrated in Figs. VI, VII, and VIII. For t-hesepurposes I fix ablock of wood W on the top rail B3 of the back-rest B,and to this block W, I attach a latch Y by a pivot at or near to itscenter and preferably guided by a slotted metal plate uf on the end ofthe block W, and to the lower rail IL2 of the head-rest I attach aflanged rack or plate X, asshown in Fig. VII, notched on the upper sideand standing out at right angles from the rail H2, so as to cross thelatch Y near to the slotted metal plate w at the end of the block W. Iprovide the free end of the rack or plate X with a projection or stop toprevent its passing beyond the range of the latch so as to allow thehead-rest to move too far forward.

To operate the latch Y, I form the end farthest from the rack or plateX, as shown in Fig. VIII, with a bend, and I pass a small spring-wire 1/through holes in that end and through the lower extremity of a smallspiral spring Z, which is suspended from the top of the cross-bar B3 andhas attached to its lower extremity a cord or chain z', passing downwithin the side B of the back-rest through a small pulley on thecross-rail C up to the arm of the chair. Vhen the cord is pulled, withthe head still leaning upon the head-rest, the springwire yv will bebent, and when the head is lifted the latch Y will be disengaged by itfrom the rack or plate X to enable the head-rest to be adjusted. Whenthe cord is again released, the spring Z will restore the latch Y to oneof the notches in the rack or plate X. A spring S at the back of theheadrest presses against the flange x of the rack or plate X and the topbar B3 of the backrest7 so as to force the headfrest forward. Thisspring may be kept in position by any ordinary-well-known means usuallyemployed for such a purpose.

The supports for each thigh and leg of the user are separate andindependently adjustable. The whole framework supporting each thigh andleg is attached bya hinge or pivot p to flanges at the ends of ahorizontal T- shaped plate if, which is fixed to the top of a verticalpivot P, capable of turning horizontally in borings in the cross-rails CC. The

plate t is stayed by a wooden strut if', bolted at b', its lower end tothe Vertical pivot P.

The thigh-rest turns vertically on the pivot j) on the Aflanges of theplate and having its bearings on the flanges of a metalplate t2,fastened internally to the sides T T, which may be connected by across-rail t3 behind the pivot p. The plate t2 also serves to preventthe thigh-rest from deviating from its rectangular form. A spring S2,having a straight prolongation at each end, one of which bears againstthe internal metal plate t2, while the other passes through the plate t,encircles the pivot p and raises the thigh-rest and the parts connectedtherewith when desired. A light cross-rail t4 between the sides T T attheir other ends will carry the upholstery at that end.

To support the thigh and leg rests, I construct a frame of an invertedpyramidal form underneath the thigh-rest. This frame consists at theback of a metal strap zu, bent double, with the legs diverging andsecured at the upper ends, respectively, between the thighrest side Tand the internal metal plate t2 by a pin or screw passing through them.The front of the frame is a tapered board or plate V, the edges of whichmay be of any desired riform, but preferably lying between the sides T Tof the thigh-rest and having shoulders passing beneath and to the outeredge of such sides T T. A recess or perforation in the back of the boardor plate V receives the bend of the metal strap t', and within this bendI place the iixed end of the rack R,the pivot of which, c, passingthrough the board or plate V, Secures both the bend of the metal strapand the fixed end of the rack in position. The free end of the rack R'moves in a slot in the vertical pivot P, in which a pin b engages one ofthe notches of the rack, and thereby locks the thigh-rest T in anydesired position, while a stud at that end prevents the rack frompassing out of such slot. A cord or chain and spring are attached to thefree end of the rack R for unlocking it in like manner, as beforedescribed in connection with the rack R.

The leg-rest L L consists of a rectangular frame swung upon a bar orpivot d below the center thereof and working in bearings carried by aplate of metal g, turned up at each end and having the turned-upportions eX- tended like arms g g and reaching to the sides T T of thethigh-rest. The upper ends of suoli arms g g turn on pins or studs inthe center of the outer ends of the thigh-rest sides T T and preferablypass through small metal plates screwed to the inner sides thereof belowthe cross-bar t4. At the lower end of the plate g two perforatedprojections g2g/2 provide bearings to ncarry the bar or pivot d, onwhich as a center a metal plate jj and the leg-rest swing, the metalplatejj being furnished with bent ends screwed to the leg-rest sides L Linternally. The top of the leg-rest should at all inclinations becapable of passing clear of the cross-rail t4 of the thigh-rest. Belowthe lnetal plate g are -two other pro- IDO IIO

jections g3 g3, carrying a piu c, on which two small metal plates 'r2 r2turn and between the outer ends of these plates r2 r2 the rack R2 forlocking the leg-rest in position is secured by a bolt at the end and twosmall screws inl the middle, providing an open space at that end of therack R2 for the passage of the lever Z by which the leg-rest is raisedvertically. The free end of the rack` R2 moves in a slot in the lowerend of the board or plate V and locks the position of the legrest byengagement with the pin b2 and is unlocked by the aid of a cord or chainand spring in the same manner as the back and thigh rest racks R and R.It also is provided with a stud to prevent its passing out of such slot.Thus the leg-rest, in addition to its horizontal motion with thethigh-rest, has two independent Inotions-one vertically around the endof. the thigh-rest and locked by the rack R2 and the other a free swingon the bar or pivot (.Z. The upperend of the leverZp-asses through aslotnear the top of the` board or plate V and turns on a pin in thisslot. From its short end beyond the pin depends a spring S3, which issecured at its opposite extremity by a pin fixed in the lower slot ofthe board or plate V a little above the rack R2, and the back of theboard or plate V is recessed to receive such spring. The lower end ofthe lever Z travels on a roller carried by the pin c between the platesr2r2.

The arrangement which I have described of the lever Z and the spring S3,besides obviating the difficulty of placing a spring in any otherposition to raise the leg-rest, will give it a greater leverage when itis shorter and at the same time (the leg-rest being higher) has lnorework to do. To give the greatest benet, the upper end of the springshould be bent to one side and the short end of the lever should be bentup as much as possible to bring the fulcrum of the lever and the twopoints of application of the springas nearly in a line as practicablewithout pressing the side of the spring against the lever when theleg-rest is at the lowest position.

For the purpose of supporting the heel when necessary I provide a slidef, Fig. I, which passes through recesses in the lower cross-rail of thelegrest and between the plate j and the bar or pivot CZ, small blocks ofwood, screwed underneath the plate j, acting as guides. A ring may beattached to the upper part of the slide to enable the person in thechair to move it up or down.

The notches in the racks R, R, and R2 and the plate X are cut so as tohold against theA pressure of the back, thigh,leg, or head in onedirection and the springs S,S2, S3, and S', respectively, in the otherdirections and should be made an easy Iit for the pins.

Near the lower ends of the cords o, c', and 02, attached to the racks R,R', and R2 for the purpose of disengaging them, as described, Iintroduce a spiral spring s, (see Fig. IX,) in each case fastened at itsopposite ends to points in the cords sufficiently apart from each otherto allow the spring to be stretched without overstraining it. By thisarrangement it is only when the pressure of the part of the sitter uponthe appropriate rest is being lifted off that the rack becomesdisengaged and the spring S, S2, or Sd begins to operate.

The chair may be upholstered according to taste and with or withoutsprings in the back and seat.

"The lines U U U U suggest the shape of the middle of each part whenupholstered.

Without limiting myself to the precise details of construction andarrangement of the parts described and shown, I claim-4 l. In a chair,the combination with the seat, of a back, a head-rest and a thigh andleg support, each independently pivoted, and each provided with means tolock it in ad justed position, and with a spring normally tending tomove it in direction opposite tothat in which it tends to move under theweight of the occupant of the chair, substantially as set forth.

2. In a chair, the combination of a vertical pivot P, a flanged plate tconnectedto the pivot to turn therewith, a thigh-rest pivoted to theianged plate to have vertical swinging movement thereon, a leg-rest,hinged to the thigh-rest to have independent vertical movement, racks tolock the thigh-rest and legrest independently in adjusted position, andsprings acting on the thigh-rest and leg-rest independently and normallytending to swing them upwardly, substantially as described.

3. In a chair,a thigh-rest supported to swing vertically andhorizontally, a frame connected to the outer end of the thigh-rest toswing horizontally therewith, and to have an independent verticalswinging movement, a legrest pivoted intermediate its ends in said frameto have a rocking movement independently of the frame, a rack to lockthe frame and leg-rest in adjusted position, a pivoted.' lever Zengaging the frame at one end, and a spring S3 connected at one end tothe other end of the lever, and at its other end to a fixed support,substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

4. In a chair, the combination of a thighrest, a pyramidal frame securedto its under side, a rack connected to the lower end of the frame, alocking-pin for the rack, a leg-rest having a hinge connection with thethigh-rest, a rack connected to the leg-rest, a pin in the frame to beengaged bythe last-named rack, a lever pivoted in the frame and engagingwith one end of the leg-rest, and a spring connected at one end to theother end of the lever, and at its other end to said frame,substantially as set forth.

5. The combination with a thigh-rest, of a plate g having arms 'g' g'pivoted to the sides of the thigh-rest, a bar CZ supported in bearingson said plate, and a leg-rest pivoted in termediate its ends on the saidbar, substam tially as set forth.

lOO

6. In a chair, the combination of the frame and fixed seat, of aninclined back having a cross-bar at its lower end, links connecting saidbar and the sides of the frame to permit the inclination of the back tobe changed, a rack hinged to the bar and engaging a pin on the frame,and a spring connected at one end to the side of the frame and at itsother end to said bar, and normally tending to decrease the inclinationof the back, substantially as set forth.

7. In a chair, the combination with an adj ust-able back-rest, of al1ead-rest provided with depending strips 7L pivoted at their lower endsto the sides of the back-rest, casings inclosing said strips at theirlower ends, a forwardly-projecting block on the upper end of theback-rest, a latch pivoted thereon and lying parallel to the back rest,a notched plate secured to the lower end of the headrest and extendingtransversely across the latch to be engaged thereby, a spring interposedbetween the lower end of the head-rest and the upper end of theback-rest and tending normally to separate them, and means to disengagethe latch from the notched plate, substantially as set forth.

S. In a chair, the combination with a fixed pin and an adjustable partof said chair, of a rack hinged at one end to the adjustable part andadapted to engage the said pin, a cord connected to the rack andoperative to lift it out of engagement with the pin, and a spring sinterposed in said cord, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in thepresence of two subscribing Witnesses.

JOSIAII HARPUR SYDNEY MAY.

XVitnesses:

HUGH HYNDMAN, HUGH RoDDY.

